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Pets and allergens

By Melanie Hearse | June 1, 2014

The presence of animal allergens in the environment is a concern for many people – especially those who experience allergies such as asthma and allergic rhinitis (hayfever), says Wayne Anderson, air quality expert at BELL Laboratories. Recent research conducted by BELL found pet allergens are a common denominator in the home.

Are you allergic to animals?

Some people are allergic to pet allergens and Asthma Australia explains the severity of the allergic reaction varies between people and depends on the circumstances. These may not happen straight away.

You can self test by noting if you get itchy, swollen or watering eyes after patting an animal. If you’re considering getting a pet and are concerned about allergies, you could try borrowing a friend's pet for a week but do be aware different pets have different levels of allergens, so it’s not fool proof!

The most conclusive way to find out if you do have an allergy is to visit your GP or an allergist who can confirm your suspicion using skin prick tests or allergen specific IgE (RAST) allergy tests.

It’s not necessarily what you think

Many of us assume that our pet's fur or hair is the problem but it actually isn’t always the cause of our allergy woes. Asthma Australia says it can also be a case of their fur transporting other allergens from around the house or the great outdoors. You may notice, for example, that you’re reacting to your pet only at certain times of the year, which can be because they are rolling in a plant or dust mite allergen and bringing it under your nose.

For those that are allergic to pets, the main source of allergen in dogs is saliva, and the sebaceous glands in the skin for cats. Dander, or shed skin particles, is another common cause of allergens in our pets. Some breeds produce less allergen or shed less hair, which can reduce the spread of allergens, so it may be worth doing your research before buying a pet if you do suffer from asthma.

A quick guide to lower allergen pets:

Smaller dogs generally produce less allergen than larger dogs, simply because they typically produce less saliva and have less skin.

Short haired cats may pose less risk compared to long haired ones.

Cat allergy is more common (and typically worse) than dog allergy.

Go lower allergen with your family pets

If you find yourself reacting to the family pet, but not to the degree that rehoming is necessary, there are steps you and your family members can take that may reduce your reaction. Asthma Australia suggests:

If your pet lives indoors, keeping them out of the bedroom significantly reduces allergen levels in those areas.

Always wash your hands after touching or feeding your pet.

Don’t touch your face before washing your hands.

Keep pets off chairs, sofas and other soft furnishings.

Vacuum any carpets, curtains and upholstery regularly using a vacuum with a motorised brush and a HEPA filter.

Clean hard floors with a damp cloth or a steam mop.

Clean air-conditioning and heating ducts.

Wash clothing, and pet and human bedding regularly in hot water.

Groom (e.g. brush) your pet regularly.

Make sure the person with the allergy doesn’t do the vacuuming, dusting or pet grooming – ask them to stay out of the room while it’s happening and then for about 20 minutes afterwards while the air settles.

Washing your pet dog regularly may also assist; talk to your vet about how often your dog can safely be washed and which product is best to use.

A wash once every three-to-four weeks is standard for many dogs.

Bathing cats is not recommended, as this can be very stressful for you and the cat.